Hilltops restaurants display their hygiene Scores on Doors

25/07/2018

Hilltops Council is the latest council to join the state wide Scores on Doors program, which aims to improve food safety standards and to reduce the instance of foodborne illness in the retail food industry.

“Scores on Doors offers businesses a fantastic opportunity to show customers just how seriously they take food hygiene and the results they have achieved by displaying a rating certificate and sticker on their door,” Hilltops Mayor Brian Ingram said.

The certificates reflect the result of a regular hygiene and food safety inspection. This means that what was previously only known to inspectors is now available to diners.

“Scores on Doors gives customers an idea of what’s going on in the kitchen and out the back at your favourite restaurant, café or takeaway. If you see a restaurant displaying the purple and green poster, you can dine there safe in the knowledge it has met minimum hygiene and food safety standards during the last food inspection and if there is not a poster on display, ask why.” Mayor Ingram said.

The rating system of Excellent (5 stars), Very Good (4 stars) and Good (3 stars), represent various levels of compliance with the Food Standards Code. Council officers inspect businesses and rate their hygiene and food safety standards. The rating includes such things as food temperature control, food prepared in advance of service, food handler hygiene, cleaning and sanitisation and pest control.

Scores on Doors also creates greater consistency in food hygiene inspections around NSW as councils use standardised inspection checklists and gives greater visibility and transparency of compliance by food businesses.

“Hilltops Council is proud to be part of Scores on Doors and doing its part to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy their meals safely,” Mayor Ingram said.

Hilltops Council joins a growing number of Councils within rural and metropolitan NSW to join the program.